It’s the countdown to party time and that means it's time for *all* the Christmas party food! You’ve been baking different cookie recipes for weeks in advance, coming up with the perfect holiday mocktails, and prepping your Christmas appetizers.
Now all you need is to work out the rest of your holiday menu — something your peeps can grab and go while they mingle, dance and gift swap with festive abandon. Well, we’ve got you covered!
Brit + Co
Nothing helps warm you up in wintry weather like comfort food, especially cheesy macaroni. For party season, put it in handheld form with our donut-shaped recipe. (via Brit + Co)
Leslie Grow
If you're having a breakfast or brunch party (coffee! pastries! pj's!), then definitely add these mini sandwiches to the menu. They're savory, sweet, and literally so delicious. (via Brit + Co)
Brittany Griffin
Every party needs some sweets, and these Christmas cookies are as festive as they come. They look amazing, and they're actually super easy to put together, which makes us love them even more. (via Brit + Co)
Upgrade your usual bread and butter spread with this TikTok food trend that will leave your guests in awe. Make a savory butter candle, a sweet one, or one of each! (via Brit + Co)
Sinful Kitchen
This cheesecake will taste amazing no matter how you serve it. Grab some festive plates or make a variety of tiny cheesecakes with a muffin tin. (via Brit + Co)
Sarah Anderson
This dessert doesn't just have to be for Thanksgiving. The sweet flavors definitely work all winter long, but we wouldn't say no to some candy cane pieces on top ;). (via Brit + Co)
Leslie Grow
If we're honest, anything that's reminiscent of our favorite winter drinks is a Christmas party food in our books. Chai spice mix *and* a bag of chai tea really bring out the flavors of this recipe. (via Brit + Co)
Rachael Ray / Home Chef
This recipe from Rachael Ray can be served with pork chops or on their own as a Christmas party food. Baking your Yukon potatoes and then smashing 'em with a glass creates an elevated look without any extra effort. (via Brit + Co)
Sarah Anderson
Dish out these soups in tiny bowls to make them crowd-friendly. Don't forget a piece of bread for each bowl too! And cheese...you definitely don't want to forget the cheese. (via Brit + Co)
Sweet Cayenne
Take your favorite sourdough pretzels and bake them in a tangy ranch coating for this delicious crowd-pleaser. Pretzel bites are a party staple any day of the year, but the seasoning makes these a special occasion all their own. (via Sweet Cayenne)
Eclectic Everyday
This pull-apart bread is savory, not sweet — each little ball of dough is stuffed with cheese. It’s like biting into little heavenly pillows of doughy goodness. (via Eclectic Everyday)
Number 2 Pencil
Instead of a corn-cob pipe and a button nose, this snowman has a carrot nose and peppercorn buttons! He'll pairs well with your favorite crackers or chips. (via Number 2 Pencil)
Small Town Woman
Crispy and crunchy on the outside and meaty and tender on the inside, toasted ravioli is basically faux-fried food at its finest. (via Small Town Woman)
Averie Cooks
Ever wonder what Santa feeds Rudolph? Look no further than this festive take on "muddy buddies." (via Averie Cooks)
Food Lovin' Family
A cheesy seafood favorite for parties, this dip is simple to make with just a few ingredients. Pair it with thick sourdough bread and enjoy! (via Food Lovin' Family)
Connoisseurus Veg
Now this is how to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes for the party season. They go especially well with some sliced avocado or cashew cream. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
Joyful Healthy Eats
So, toast may be a bit of an undertaking for party noshing, but your guests will be wowed by this sweetly delicate combination. It's cheesy, it's rich, it's fluffy — the end. (via Joyful Healthy Eats)
Cooking Classy
This appetizer has all the delicious flavors of veggie lasagna, but you can serve them up without utensils. Finger foods for the win! (via Cooking Classy)
Girl Carnivore
A classic take on deep-fried snacks, these macaroni and cheese balls are breaded, warm, and gooey. Those are all the best parts of a party food if you ask us. (via Girl Carnivore)
Give It Some Thyme
If you're wondering what the difference is between a smashed potato and a mashed one, you're not alone. These gently squished baby potatoes serve as a base for all that melty cheesy and caramelized onion. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Kitchen Sanctuary
These little phyllo bites could not be easier to make. But better prepare a double batch, because your peeps are going to make like starved animals the minute you pop these out of the oven. (via Kitchen Sanctuary)
Olivia’s Cuisine
Cheese is such a crowd-pleaser, and even better when the cheese is pungent melted brie. (via Olivia’s Cuisine)
Simply Delicious
There’s something magical that happens when yummy mashed potato batter meets crispy bacon and sharp mature cheddar. Bet you’re salivating just thinking about it... (via Simply Delicious)
Give It Some Thyme
Nothing shares better at a party than a flatbread. This one is your one-slice-pleases-all for winter flavors your guests will love. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Jamie Geller
Latkes? Check. Endless filling combinations for every night of Hanukkah and then some? Check. A holiday recipe that's sure to have something for everyone? Check check check! (via Jamie Geller)
Half Baked Harvest
Cute gingerbread Christmas cupcakes are an absolute must at your party! The warmth of each bite will fill your guests with delight. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Completely Delicious
A fun and festive Christmas party calls for a delicious ham — kudos if it has a citrus spice glaze drizzled over it. (via Completely Delicious)
Pink Owl Kitchen
Smothered chicken is one of the South's staples, but we know this recipe will be a hit no matter where you throw your Christmas party. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)
Two Peas & Their Pod
Don't discount the wonderful way that pasta can be a part of your meal spread. It's a one-pot dinner recipe you'll reach for well after the holidays. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)
The Bossy Kitchen
Biting into sea salt chocolate fudge on Christmas sounds like sheer heaven. (via The Bossy Kitchen)
Find more recipes like these on our Pinterestand check out our email newsletter for more Christmas party food inspiration!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Sally Jonesand Chloe Williams.
One of the things I fondly remember about 2015 is learning that Gwen StefaniandBlake Shelton were dating. I was sad when she decided to divorce her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale, but I was onboard with her finding a new version of happiness! I've actually wondered if she was surprised to find that in Blake and vice versa.
Since I'm a nosy cookie, I decided to take a fun trip down memory lane to see how Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's love story has evolved over the years. There's nothing quite like seeing two people find success in love and marriage again to keep my romantic dreams alive!
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TNT
We've all heard that workplace romances are bad for business, but that's not always the case. In Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's situation, meeting at work was one of the best things that happened for them! They met while taping Season 7 of The Voice, but kept things friendly and professional given they were still married to their former spouses, Gavin Rossdale and Miranda Lambert.
In a picture that's still on Gwen's Instagram page, the former co-workers snapped a cute selfie together that showed them happily grinning. She captioned it, "💓him @blakeshelton@nbcthevoice gx."
Norm Hall/Getty Images
Despite the fact Blake Shelton and his ex-wife Miranda Lambert had been together for a decade, they shared an exclusive statement with The Associated Pressabout their decision to divorce. "It is with heavy hearts that we move forward separately. We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends and colleagues. Therefore, we kindly ask for privacy and compassion concerning this very personal matter," they said.
When Gwen appeared on The Howard Stern Showin 2016, she revealed she wasn't expecting Blake's situation to mirror her own. "I was in shock, because I felt like he was exposing me...I had this huge weight on me and nobody but my parents and obviously everybody involved knew."
The two began confiding in each other and eventually developed a friendship that would set the tone for their romantic relationship.
It's always nice when the person we're dating pays attention to our interests and hobbies, which is exactly what Blake Shelton did when he gifted Gwen a horse! She shared a gorgeous snapshot of the beautiful 'Halo' on Instagram and wrote a little snazzy caption to celebrate how gorgeous the horse is.
Blake joked with Entertainment Tonight, "Gwen, she loves riding and she loves horses. It's actually so funny that people are so shocked by that, but [just try to] name me one girl on the planet that doesn't love horses or just think that they are beautiful."
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani were glowing as they posed for pictures on the red carpet of Vanity Fair's Oscar party in 2016. USA Today reported that Gwen wore a red-hot dress by Yanina Couture while Blake stayed true to his all-America cowboy casual look.
That same month Blake shared how much of a positive impact Gwen had on his life. He told Billboard, "Gwen saved my life. Who else on earth could understand going through a high-profile divorce from another musician? You can’t even imagine the similarities in our divorces."
When Gwen appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2022, she dished about her and Blake's red carpet debut. "I think I played at the party and then we went out that night...That melts me when I see it. It's such a moment for me — a good one," she said with her signature smile on her face.
More than a year later, Blake was crowned People's Sexiest Man Alive in 2017, and initially, it shocked him. He joked that maybe People chose him as a last resort, but was quick to highlight how Gwen encouraged him to embrace his new title. "She goes, ‘Listen to me, you’re going to regret this for the rest of your life if you don’t take this gift and just live in the moment.'"
Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS
When it came time for Gwen Stefani to jumpstart her Las Vegas Residency in 2018, Blake Shelton made sure to show his full support for her. She shared a series of cute pictures on Instagram that showed the two sharing a intimate kiss moments before she hit the stage for the first time.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
People shared that when Gwen Stefani returned as one of the judges on The Voice in 2017, it was like a happy reunion for her. "I’m so happy to be back. My life changed so much on this show...then to be with my best friend Blakey, and to be here with Kelly and John, I feel pretty lucky right now," she exclusively told the outlet.
Rich Fury/Getty Images
As part of Blake's album Fully Loaded: God's Country, he and Gwen recorded "Nobody But You" together. He said the song perfectly aligned with what was going on in his life during an interview with People. "I also realized how important it is for me and where I am in my life, and I think that's why [writer] Shane [McAnally] was trying to get it to me," he said.The couple went on to perform it at the Grammy's in 2020 and it was obvious they felt every lyric they sang.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
When the pandemic was still very fresh and everyone was on lockdown, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani shared another single — "Happy Anywhere" — on Instagram. Once again, their love for each other was evident in the way they looked at each other while singing.
Gwen also shared how the pandemic brought them closer together during an interview with Entertainment Tonight. "We got to be in Oklahoma as a family. We got to do things we never get to do, like try to make sourdough bread, like everybody else in America, and just do so many fun things -- garden, tear down trees, plant tons of different things," she said.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeart Media
After five years of dating, the happy couple sharing the happy news that they were engaged! Gwen posted another amazing picture of them while showing off her new ring on Instagram in 2020. Her caption simply read, "@blakeshelton yes please! 💍🙏🏻 gx". But, that doesn't mean the couple didn't have some things to discuss and work on prior to entering a new chapter together.During a video interview with the Today show hosts in 2021, Gwen briefly talked about this. "I think there was a lot to consider when you have so many people involved. Children, and their hearts, and everybody in my family [and] his family, we all went through a lot together," she said.
Less than a year of announcing their engagement, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani got married at his ranch in Oklahoma. Based on the snapshots shared by People, the couple looked d*mn good! I literally have Gwen's wedding dress saved as inspo for my own special day!Since then, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani have shown up for each other in truly inspiring ways. That's not to say they have a perfect relationship though because relationships take work. But, it seems like they've truly found their sweet escape in each other no matter how much work it takes to keep their love going BTS.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
As far as those divorce rumors? Gwen Stefani laid them to rest. She told Nylon, "It’s just lies. The truth is the truth, and we know what that is. And so that [negativity] would never penetrate just by me being vulnerable and sharing a song that I didn’t write for anybody else but myself and Blake." The song she's referencing is "Purple Irises" which is another sweet ode to their love.
*Sigh* They sure know how to make me believe that loving someone is a beautiful choice.
NBC reports Blake Shelton added new farming equipment to he and Gwen's repertoire on August 20, but a source believes the "Sweet Escape" singer isn't a fan of her husband's excitement about "hunting season," (via Instagram).
"They agreed to disagree about his hunting back when they first got together, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy thing for Gwen to handle," the source told Life & Style. The two continue to go back-and-forth on this, but it doesn't seem like Blake's budging anytime soon.
This relationship almost didn't reach a sweet point, according to Gwen Stefani. Since they were dealing with a lot when they decided to date, the "Sweet Escape" singer was ready to leave Blake in the dust. "We had just met, and it was chaos. Both of our lives were in complete turmoil, all over the ground. Nothing could save us at that point," she remembered (via PEOPLE). "There was a point where I was like, 'I can't even talk to you. This is insane. I already have enough problems. This is not happening anymore. We're not going to text or nothing.'"
The key to winning her over was speaking to her through music. "I think he really wanted to impress me, because he doesn't really write songs as much as he used to. And I love writing songs. That's everything to me...That's where I get my fulfillment," she says.
His ability to start writing "Go Ahead and Break My Heart" to send to her became one of the couples first completed songs together. "He sent it to me, and it was a half-written song. He was like, 'Help me finish this.' So I wrote him the verse back — the second verse on the song — and it's just over text," she said."
How do you feel about Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's relationship? Check out the latest on John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's too!
This post has been updated.
Thanksgiving dinner is a meal we look forward to all year long. The savory stuffing, the roasted turkey, the cranberry sauce — does it get any better than that? Well if you ask us, the best part are the leftovers! And we're talking about more scrumptious meals than the usual turkey sandwich. We've scoured the internet for different ways to put that surplus of food — trimmings included — to use. These 15 recipes will have you licking your chops.
Butternut Bakery
Don't throw away that pumpkin purée just yet! You can use it to make delicious pumpkin cupcakes the entire family will keep coming back for. Once you add in a little pumpkin pie spice, flour, baking soda, dark brown sugar, and more goodies, you'll have 12 sweet treats to munch after Thanksgiving.
P.S. You may want to have someone else bake this recipe a second time so you can have 24 cupcakes!
Cozy Cravings
Your family will become a huge fan of crostinis once they taste this recipe. Between the butternut squash, ricotta cheese, and bacon, everyone will be eating sweet as well as savory mini sandwiches.
Munching with Mariyah
Blend your leftover pumpkin and squash with coconut milk, red curry paste, ginger, and more veggies for the heartiest lentil soup you've ever tasted. Everyone will be looking to recreate this dish for a taste of lentils once they eat it, er, sip it.
Brit + Co
Bring your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers together with some cheese, peppers, and onions for a delicious frittata. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
The Butter Half
These savory pop tarts are filled with cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and bits of tender turkey, then drizzled with gravy for a snack or meal that will knock your socks off. (via The Butter Half)
Foodess
Put the sandwiches on hold, because this turkey pot pie is the *only* way to use those turkey leftovers to their greatest potential.
A Sweet Pea Chef
Take your comfort food and turn it into something nutritious by topping salad with leftover turkey and a vinaigrette made with leftover cranberries.
Spices in My DNA
This recipe stuffs your everything bagel with a poached egg, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and turkey.
The Seasoned Mom
It's cozy casserole season, so this recipe is the perfect way to use up that leftover turkey by adding it to a pasta bake that is rich, creamy, and jam-packed with flavor.
Lively Table
Nothing soothes the soul better than a steamy bowl of soup like this, filled to the brim with tender shredded turkey, nourishing veggies, and a generous dollop of Greek yogurt for extra smoothness.
The Cookie Recipe
If you don't know what to do with that heap of extra mashed potatoes, we've got you covered with these crispy potato, bacon, and cheese-filled bites of glory.
What Should I Make For...
If you want ALL the carbs, this recipe sandwiches turkey and all the fixin's between a fresh roll and it. Is. Magical.
Whitney Bond
Kick things up a notch and put a healthy spin on your leftover turkey with these veggie-filled fajita rice bowls.
Yes to Yolks
This recipe smashes the traditional pierogi together with leftover Thanksgiving goodies for a fun and seasonal spin on a classic.
Jessica in the Kitcen
Vegetarians can enjoy Thanksgiving to the max too, and if anything proves it, it's this stacked meatless 'wich that swaps the usual turkey for plant-based meatloaf.
Pickled Plum
These turkey-filled hash patties will make brunch fanatics swoon with their festive flavor and golden crisp exterior.
Bless Her Heart Y'all
This feast doesn't just give you a healthful meal after gorging on holiday eats, but it also serves as a weeknight wonder, clocking in at just 15 minutes from start to finish!
Chef de Home
Putting that leftover turkey to use never looked so good with this creamy mushroom and pasta-filled tetrazzini.
Half Baked Harvest
This Thanksgiving leftovers croque Madame sandwich is an excellent way to serve breakfast on Black Friday. After all, you'll need an extra boost from the fried eggs to get you through your mad dash at the mall!
Vikalinka
Not sure what to do with all the leftover butternut squash? Make a cheesy au gratin casserole!
Crowded Kitchen
Don't throw away your cornbread after Thanksgiving! You can use what's leftover to bake vegan cornbread stuffing to give it a toasted yet flavorful taste.
Crowded Kitchen
This tasty and crunchy pumpkin salad is a great option to make if you're confused about what to do with your leftover pumpkins.
Averie Cooks
Let's say you bought one too many apples for the apple pie you baked. Instead of lamenting over your 'mishap,' use what's leftover after Thanksgiving to make caramel apple gingerbread cookie cups!
Completely Delicious
This delicious leftover pizza is a thoughtful option for anyone who swears they're tired of eating leftover Thanksgiving turkey after a couple of days.
Pink Owl Kitchen
Chances are it'll be cold the week of Thanksgiving so use your leftover sweet potatoes to create this creamy soup. It's good for the soul!
For more Thanksgiving leftover recipes, follow us on Pinterest — and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter!
This post has been updated.
There are two things I know for sure: Ken loves Barbie, and Ryan Gosling loves Eva Mendes. The couple met on the movie set for The Place Beyond the Pines in 2011, and have created such a beautiful life together! Eva's just as excited for the Christmas remix of "I'm Just Ken" as we are, and Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes' constant support of one another is making us think back on all their cutest moments. Once you're done reliving their relationship, check out the latest news on Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling's kids too!
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes took a chance at romance after they played a couple in 2011's The Place Beyond The Pines. Once they were linked, they were seen walking around Disneyland "like a dating couple, [walking] very closely, holding hands and their arms touching side-by-side," according to a PEOPLE eyewitness.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW
During Thanksgiving in 2011, Eva Mendes was filming Holly Motors in Paris, so Ryan Gosling took a trip to the City of Lights so they could spend the holiday together. They also ended up going on Funny or Die's Drunk History Christmas the next month to reenact a 21+ version of The Night Before Christmas *and* spent New Year's together!
Sonia Recchia/Getty Images
To promote The Place Beyond the Pines, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes spent a lot of time together on the TIFF red carpet. Years later in 2019, when Kelly Clarkson pulled up the picture, Eva couldn't help but gush over Ryan — especially since they hadn't announced they were dating at the time. “Oh my God, that’s so old," she says of the photo. "That’s literally me going, ‘I’m not in love with him. What? I’m not in love.’ ‘Cause we were trying to be very professional."
Warner Bros. Pictures
Ryan and Eva reunited on a film set again for Lost River, which was both Ryan's directorial debut and served as a semi-autobiographical story for him. "For me, it was crucial to work in this intimate, low-budget, small way, with people I had worked with before, because I feel like in my experience that’s where everyone was at their best," Ryan tells Sunday Style (via Mangalorean). "They know what is at stake for you personally, and all the work that’s gone into getting there."
Eva also told her Instagram followers in a since-deleted postthat Lost River is the project she's most proud of. "There was one film I'm extra proud to be a part of," she said. "A dark fairy tale. A magical fantasy. To all the struggling single mothers, to all of us in cities that feel like they're burning down or flooding around us, to everyone fighting for the ones they love, this was a good one."
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes welcomed Esmerelda Amada Gosling into the world in September of 2014. Eva later said that she didn't even want kids until she got together with Ryan. "I was lucky enough to work my bum off for 20 years," she tells Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa (via PEOPLE). "I never wanted babies before until I fell in love with Ryan, and it kind of worked out to where I was 40 and having my first baby. I think I was 42 for the second one, so it worked out in that way that I had a career and then I change my focus to my family."
Ryan also went on to tell GQ in 2023 that he was in a similar place before meeting Eva. "I wasn’t thinking about kids before I met her, but after I met Eva, I realized that I just didn’t want to have kids without her," he says. "And there were moments on The Place Beyond the Pines where we were pretending to be a family, and I didn’t really want it to be pretend anymore." I could cry!!
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
While Ryan and Eva have kept their relationship very private, he told Hello! that "I know that I'm with the person I'm supposed to be with" and that literally the only quality he looks for in a woman is "That she's Eva Mendes. There's nothing else I'm looking for." Swoon!
Brad Barket/Getty Images
Eva Mendes gave birth to her and Ryan's second baby, a daughter named Amada Lee Gosling, in April 2016 — after keeping the pregnancy a secret until it was almost time to deliver! Amada is named after Eva's grandma.
Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
While accepting his Golden Globe for Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Ryan Gosling made sure to let the world know just how much of a role Eva had played in the process. “I would like to try and thank one person properly, and say that while I was singing and dancing and playing piano,” he says in his speech, “my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second and trying to help her brother with his battle with cancer.”
Eva's brother, Juan Carlos Mendes, had passed away the previous April and Ryan took the opportunity to dedicate the award to him.
Dominique Charriau/Getty Images
When an Instagram account asked what Eva and Ryan liked to cook, Eva revealed just how amazing Ryan is with food. "Ryan is an amazing chef AND baker," she says in her reply. "For reals. Incredible. No joke. I'm not sure that what I do is cooking. It's more like steaming veggies and juicing and making rice. He really cooks. I survive." Can I get Ryan Gosling to make me a meal sometime?
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
“Time, in general, is something I think about a lot now. My kids are growing up so fast I need to keep an eye on the clock in a way I never used to,” Ryan Gosling tells GQ. “I feel like I need more time to process [how much the pandemic played into that]. But [Eva and I] have two kids, so we spend a lot of our time trying to keep them entertained.”
While they enjoyed their time together, Ryan's also candid about the effect of lockdown on their children: “Our kids were at a difficult age not to be able to see other kids and interact with people, even though Eva and I did our best.”
Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures.
When the world went crazy for every bit of Barbie news, so did Eva Mendes. "So. F. Funny," she says in an Instagram caption sharing the first look at Ryan Gosling's Ken. "So. F. Good. So F excited for you to see this…#Thatsmyken."
"It's a funny photo and he's trying to be funny, so it worked on all levels," she goes on to say on The Talk. "But when I saw it, when he sent it to me from work, I was like, 'Can I please have that underwear? Please, I never ask for anything'...So, anyway, I do have it. I'm wearing it right now."
When Eva showed off a new tattoo on her wrist in November of 2022 on Instagram, fans immediately began dissecting its meaning. The tattoo, which reads "de Gosling" (which is similar to Mrs. Gosling) could mean that Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes are actually married! She went on to tell Today in Australia (via DailyMail) that "Everyone is so welcoming here and my husband Ryan is here, and we are having the best time." 👀
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM
In the midst of crazy release schedules and commitments (not to mention the actors' strike), Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes always prioritize their family life. "When they are not working, they are all about their girls," a source tells People. "Ryan is such a fun dad. He is goofy and his girls love it." The source continues by saying the family loves to go to the beach or the desert (same TBH).
Warner Bros Pictures.
If the original version of "I'm Just Ken" wasn't good enough, Ryan Gosling is blessing us with a Christmas remix — and Eva Mendes is just as excited as we are. "Ken not wait for this," she says in an Instagram caption.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Warner Bros.
At the 2024 Santa Barbra International Film Festival, Ryan Gosling won the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film — and he totally deserves it! With a career that includes iconic films like La La Land and Barbie, as well as The Notebook, Blade Runner 2049, and Crazy Stupid Love, all kinds of film lovers have gotten to see Ryan's work onscreen. During his acceptance speech, Ryan got choked up talking about how acting allowed him to meet "the girl of [his] dreams."
"I dreamed of one day making movies and now movies have made my life a dream," he says in his speech. "So the way I see it, there's no way I have contributed half as much to cinema as cinema's contributed to me."
Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Entertainment
After the Oscar nominations were announced January 23, Eva Mendes took to Instagram to celebrate Ryan Gosling's nomination for Best Supporting Actor. "So proud of my man. So much hate when he took on this role," she says alongside screenshots of the first (very negative) reviews of his casting. "So many people trying to shame him for doing it. Despite all the #Notmyken ridicule and articles written about him, he created this completely original, hilarious, heartbreaking, now iconic character and took it all the way to Oscars. So beyond proud to be this Ken’s Barbie."
Caroline McCredie/Getty Image
Yesterday Eva Mendes shared with People that she's penned a children's book named Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries that'll debut September 17. It's all about a little girl who's always worried that her scary brain is the real monster she's afraid of at night. Through gentle reminders, Desi's mom helps her understand that being afraid is normal and teaches her how not to let scary thoughts control her.
Eva Mendes told People the books is like "a love letter to my kids and yours" because "...Learning how to train our brain to work for us and not against us is easier said than done!" Since we know racing thoughts doesn't just affect adults, we love that Eva is finding a way to share some of her parenting tips with other parents.
Eva Mendes celebrated the Oscars on March 10 with a post highlighting Ryan Gosling's performance, and his entire run as Ken! "You took Ken all the way to the Oscar’s, RG," she says on Instagram. "Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed."
We love the way this couple can have fun with each other — and highlight how much teamwork parenthood requires!
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Leave it to Ryan Gosling not to take credit for his amazing Oscars performance. He gushed to People about how Eva Mendes and their daughters helped him make sure his Kenergy truly shined bright. "They are such a huge part of this for me...it was my girl's interest in Barbie and disinterest in Ken that got me into this in the first place. It was beautiful to have them there at the end," he said.
As we all saw, the unmistakable Kenergy was in full force and effect during the Oscars.
Deciding how to maintain a work-home balance when you have kids is something every parent thinks about, and it turns out that extends to celebs, too! After starring with Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond The Pines, Eva Mendes decided it was a "no brainer" to stay home with their family since acting can take you all over the world, which the actress revealed in a recent episode of The Today Show. “It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, ‘Ok, he’s going to work and I’m going to work, I’m just going to work here,'” she says. She also says she's “so lucky” to “have this time with [their] children.”
“I have never experienced anything like [working with Ryan Gosling]. The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be, and that means making his co-stars as best as they can be,” she continues. “But unfortunately — or fortunately — there is only one Ryan!"
After losing her brother in 2016, Eva Mendes says she has a "complicated relationship" with the month of April — but that her daughters make it infinitely more bearable. "[April 2] would have been my brother’s birthday," she says on Instagram. "In a couple of weeks from now is the day we lost him…but then, the end of April we got the biggest blessing of all, my little girl was born 8 years ago. I hate you April. But I love you more."
Will Heath/NBC
During his latest stint hosting SNL, Ryan Gosling did a hilarious sketch about a man who picks up a Cuban accent after getting married to a Cuban woman. Eva Mendes was all over it! "Coño! My Cuban Papi made this Cuban Mami so happy with this!!" Eva wrote on Instagram. "Years of hanging out with my Dad paid off."
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Eva Mendes is not here for the mom-shamers. She told People (in honor of its 2024 Beautiful Issue) that staying home to focus on Ryan Gosling and her kids was the "easiest decision I've ever made" because she wanted to be there for their formative childhood years.
"When I was 40, it was a big deal for people when I was pregnant, and it wasn't for me," she says. "And then I was 42 and I was pregnant with my second one and people were like, 'Oh my God, you're going to be so tired. That's why people have kids in their 20s.' I was like, that's the most sorry, asinine thing I've ever heard."
"[Ryan supports me] in all the ways I need to be supported," she continues. "He's got me in all the ways."
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Eva Mendes just made a post she NEVER makes in honor of how much she loved The Fall Guy (relatable!). The actress posted the poster, which features Emily Blunt with Ryan Gosling on Instagram.
"Did you know?! @thefallguymovie is the FIRST non super hero movie to open the summer box office in 17 years!" she says. "And maybe it didn’t break the box office but it broke sooo many other records. I’m extra proud of this one. The proof is in my post-I don’t usually post pics of my man kissing a babe but Emily Blunt is just that d-mn good in it. THEY’RE that d-mn good in it. Viva el fall guy!"
Team USA has been winning medals left and right, but Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes' family briefly stole the show yesterday.
The couple and their daughters were spotted watching Suni Lee, Qui Qiyuan, and Kayloa Nemour take score big at the gymnastics uneven bars final. After that, the couple enjoyed the Equestrian Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle event. (via E! News).
The cute photos of them on X show Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes looking totally engrossed in the events they attended, but I can't help but notice how cute they look! Their casual styles complement each other and make me want to ask where they got their sunglasses from.
I don't know if they'll make another appearance in the future so I'm going to cherish how good Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes looked during their rare outing.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Eva Mendes revealed that Ryan Gosling makes her feel sexier just by "the way my man looks at me."
"At times I’m like, ‘Oh, my God,'" she says. "So much of how I feel is a reflection of what he’s giving me. There’s so many things that can make me feel sexy and I’d say that I feel more sexy than not. I guess because I’ve never considered myself beautiful, but I’ve always felt very sexy.”
While she claims she's never been a "great" actress, she says that working with Ryan gets "something out of me that’s never been accessible before.”
And, apparently, she also helped him bring the ultimate Kenergy to the Barbie movie set. “I would just simplify everything," she says. "I’m like, ‘Just make Barbie notice you, that’s what Ken is all about.’ So then there was this desperation. He really loved that. I’d remind him, as he’s literally walking out the door, ‘Make Barbie notice you, make Barbie fall in love with you.’”
The actress and author also reveals the "extreme" rule they've instated for their kids: no social media or smartphones. “Putting my kid on the internet and being like, ‘Oh, search something,’ that to me is equivalent to telling her, ‘Oh, just go down the street in the middle of the night. You’ll be fine,’” she says. “I know that sounds extreme, but that’s what I feel.”
In a new Instagram video, Eva celebrates the Gosling family's "newest member," a dog named Magic! "We adopted her from this amazing organization @californiadoodlerescues," Eva says. "More to come…I’m crazy about her and excited to share life with Magic with you. ❤️"
Check back here for the latest news on Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, and don't forget to read up on Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce's Relationship and Tom Holland and Zendaya. :)
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Grab your dragon harness and get ready for nostalgia overload because the How To Train Your Dragonlive-action movie flies into theaters this summer. The beloved animated movie first premiered on March 21, 2010 and its themes of love, family, and identity (plus absolutely killer music from John Powell) quickly turned it into a fan favorite. The first How To Train Your Dragon teaser is finally here, which means we have our first official look at Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid.
Universal Pictures
Mason Thames (Hiccup) in How To Train Your Dragon.
The movie follows teenage Hiccup, a dragon-hunting viking who isn't as strong as he thinks he should be — until he finds a dragon in the forest, and befriends the creature instead.
The movie is coming to theaters on June 13, 2025.
Yes, we finally have a How To Train Your Dragon live-action trailer...well, a teaser trailer at least. And in the short clip, we see one of the most iconic scenes from the OG movie: Hiccup and Toothless meeting for the first time and becoming friends! And THAT shot of Hiccup reaching his hand out for Toothless made me so much more emotional than I expected.
In addition to Nico Parker and Mason Thames, the movie stars Gerard Butler (who was in the original film!), Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Bronwyn James, Peter Serafinowicz, and Murray McArthur.
After the movie received backlash for casting Nico instead of a blonde actress, writer-director Dean Deblois praised Nico's talent, saying the team "chose the actors who best embodied the spirit and personality of the characters, since the tribe in this version is made up of descendants of the finest dragon fighters from everywhere the Vikings had ever traveled (which historically was far and white — Vikings mixed with many cultures)," he says in a comment, before adding on his own Instagram that "Nico Parker is AMAZING❤️Just wait and see."
As someone who's obsessed with her in both The Last of Us and Suncoast — I wholeheartedly agree, and I'm not afraid to shout it from the rooftops.
Helen Sloan/Universal Pictures
Dean DeBlois and Nico Parker (Astrid) on the set of How To Train Your Dragon.
Yes, we're getting a live-action How to Train Your Dragon from Universal Pictures, based on the animated film of the same name from Dreamworks. It's written and directed by Dean DeBlois, who was also behind the original movie. And this isn't the only live-action flick we're getting. Disney's Lilo & Stitch and Snow White are also coming to theaters!
Are you excited to see these characters literally come to life in the How to Train Your Dragon live-action movie? Check out the latest news on Disney's New Live-Action Movies too!
